Dispensing means for a box



3, v. WOODLING DISPENSING MEANS FOR A BOX Aug. 15, 1951 INVENTOR.

GEORGE V. H0001. ["6

Filed April 22, 1966 United States Patent 3,335,933 DISPENSING MEANS FOR A BOX George V. Woodling, 22077 W. Lake Road, Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Filed Apr. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 544,537 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) My invention relates to improvement in dispensing means for a box and more particularly to a dispensing means for a cereal breakfast food box.

An object of my invention is to make it easy for a person to open initially a cereal breakfast food box, whereby the food may be dispensed therefrom with ease.

Another object is to make it easy for a person after a cereal breakfast food box has once been opened to reclose the box.

Another object is to make it easy for a person to dispense food from a cereal breakfast food box on subsequent occassions after the box has been initially opened.

Another object is to incorporate my dispensing means in a regular cereal breakfast food box without requiring any changes to be made in the regular construction of the box.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a paperboard from which my invention may be constructed;

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of a box embodying the features of my invention, showing the dispensing means of the box reclosed after it has once been opened;

FIGURE 3 is another isometric view of a box embodying the features of my invention, showing the dispensisg means reopened for dispensing food; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of an inside bag for my box.

With reference to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the cereal breakfast food box may comprise the regular construction. My dispensing means may be incorporated in a regular box without requiring any changes to be made. The regular box may comprise a box corner portion defined by first, second, third, fourth and fifth score-line corner edges 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. The box has at least first and second opposed side panels 18 and 19, end panel means 20, and edge panel means 21. The first opposed side panel 18 has a first side corner panel portion 23 defined by the first and second score-line corner edges 11 and 12. The second opposed side panel 19 has a second side corner panel portion 24 defined by the third and fourth score-line corner edges 13 and 14. The end panel means 20 extends between the first and third score-line corner edges 11 and 13 and is connected thereto. The edge panel means 21 extends between the second and fourth score-line corner edges 12 and 14 and is connected thereto. The end panel means 20 and the edge panel means 21 are connected together along the fifth score-line corner edge 15, and define a corner edge of the box.

The edge panel means 21 comprises a flange panel 25 and a flap panel 26 which overlaps the flange panel and is secured thereto by glue, or other means. The flap panel 26 is substantially perpendicular to the first opposed side panel 18 and is connected thereto along said second score-line corner edge 12. The flange panel 25 is substantially perpendicular to the second opposed side panel 19 and is connected thereto along the fourth scoreline corner edge 14.

The first side corner panel portion 23 has a hingeable score-line 27 which extends in a direction transversely of the first score-line corner edge 11 and is spaced from the second score-line corner edge 12.

3,335,933 Patented Aug. 15, 1967 My dispensing means, through which contents (cereal breakfast food) in the box may be dispensed therefrom, comprises a manually operable tongue panel 30 which is severable along first and second spaced lines 31 and 32 which define the width thereof. Each line 31 and 32 extends transversely across the flap panel 26 to the second score-line corner edge 12 and then across the first side corner panel portion 23 to the hingeable score 27. The spaced lines 31 and 32 are preferably perforated, whereby the tongue panel 30 may be easily severed. The severed tongue panel 30 defines a dispensing opening through which contents in the box may be dispensed. The severed tongue panel 30 is hingeably connected to the hingeable score-line 27. The severed tongue panel 30 has an open position as shown in FIGURE 3 and a closed position as shown in FIGURE 2. The severed tongue panel 30 comprises a first tongue panel portion 34 severed from the first side corner panel portion 23 and a second tongue panel portion 35 severed from the flap panel 26. The second tongue panel portion 35 is connected to the first tongue panel portion 34 by the second score-line corner edge 12. The second tongue panel portion 35 has a terminal end 36 disposed to be tucked behind the flange panel 25 for constraining the severed tongue panel 30 in its closed position, see FIGURE 2. There is a general tendency for severed tongue panel 30 to swing towards its open position, but when the terminal end 36 is tucked behind the flange panel 25, the tongue panel is constrained from swinging outwardly toward its open position.

In operation, when a person desires to serve or dispense contents from the box, it is only necessary for the person to engage the second tongue panel portion 35 with his right thumb (as if engaging a page of a book) and, by a single swinging motion (the same as turning a page in a book), it may be disposed against the first side panel 18, see FIGURE 3. In this position, the box may be held by the right hand with the right thumb holding the second tongue panel portion 35 against the first side panel 18. The contents may now be dispensed through the opening defined by the severed tongue panel 30 by simply shaking a tilted box in the usual fashion. The flange panel 25 functions as a partial barrier to keep the contents from coming out too freely. Actually the dispensing construction operates as a spout (one-sided) and the contents may be dispensed therefrom by using the same motion as one would use if the box had a spout. After the contents in the box have been served or dispensed, the tongue panel 30 may be closed by tucking the terminal end 36 behind the flange panel 25, see FIGURE 2.

For dispensing cereal breakfast foods, the first tongue panel portion 34 has a length at least as long as the length of the second tongue panel portion 35, the latter being determined by the width of the flap panel 30. The Width of the tongue panel 30 is preferably made as wide as the length of the second tongue panel portion 35. To facilitate the tucking of the second tongue panel portion 35 behind the flange panel 25, the terminal end 36 is preferably made narrower than the width of the tongue panel at the second score-line corner edge 12.

The box usually has a bag inside thereof in which the contents are disposed. To facilitate the opening of the bag at the same time the tongue panel 30 is severed, the bag, identified by the reference character 39 in FIGURE 4, has a severable portion 40 secured to the severable tongue panel 30 by means of glue or other material. The glue is indicated by the dotted portion in FIGURE 4. The severable portion 40 of the bag is preferably defined by third and fourth spaced perforated lines 41 and 42 which substantially register with the first and second spaced perforated lines 31 and 32 of the box. There is also a perforated line 43 which substantially registers with the edge of the flange panel 25. The glue extends over the perforated lines 41, 42, and 43 and seals off the perforated openings, whereby the contents may be kept fresh. It is preferable that the box, when manufactured, have the second tongue panel portion 35 spotglued to the flange panel 25, so that when a person wants to open the box, it is only necessary to lift the second tongue panel portion 35 and then continue pulling on same until the entire tongue panel is severed. By the same operation, the bag portion 40 is severed along the perforated line 43 and the lines 41 and 42. The severed portion 40 remains glued to the tongue panel 30 and is opened and closed therewith. The opening of the box is thus as simple as turning a page of a book. The reclosing of the box is equally as simple.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by Way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a box made of paperboard and having a box corner portion defined by first, second, third, fourth and fifth score-line corner edges, said box having at least first and second opposed side panels, end panel means and edge panel means, said first opposed side panel having a first side corner panel portion defined by said first and second score-line edges, said second opposed side panel having a second side corner panel portion defined by said third and fourth score-line corner edges, said end panel means extending between said first and third score-line corner edges and being connected thereto, said edge panel means extending between said second and fourth score-line corner edges and being connected thereto, said end panel means and said edge panel means being connected together along said fifth score-line corner edge and defining a corner edge of said box, said edge panel means comprising a flange panel and a flap panel overlapping said flange panel and being secured thereto, said flap panel being substantially perpendicular to said first opposed side panel and being connected thereto along said second score-line corner edge, said flange panel being substantially perpendicular to said second opposed side panel and being connected thereto along said fourth score-line corner edge, said first side corner panel portion having a hingeable score-line extending in a direction transversely of said first score-line corner edge and spaced from said second score-line corner edge, the improvement of dispensing means through which contents in the box may be dispensed therefrom, said dispensing means comprising a manually operable tongue panel severable along first and second spaced lines defining the width thereof, with each line extending transversely across said flap panel to said second score-line corner edge and thence across said first side corner panel portion to said hingeable score-line whereby a dispensing opening is defined in said box when said tongue panel is severed, said severed tongue panel being hingeably connected to said hingeable score-line, said severed tongue panel having an open position and a closed position, said severed tongue panel comprising a first tongue panel portion severed from said first side corner panel portion and a second tongue panel portion severed from said flap panel, said second tongue panel portion being connected to said first tongue panel portion by said second scoreline corner edge, said second tongue panel portion having a terminal end disposed to be tucked behind said flange panel for constraining said severed tongue panel in its closed position, said severed tongue panel in its opened position being foldable back against said first opposed side panel whereby contents in said box may be dispensed through said dispensing opening.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said first and second spaced lines are perforated to facilitate the severing of said tongue panel from said first side corner panel portion and from said flap panel.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein said first and second spaced lines are perforated to facilitate the severing of said tongue panel from said first side corner panel portion and from said flap panel, said terminal end of said second tongue panel portion having a width less than the width of said first tongue panel portion at said second score-line corner edge.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein said first tongue panel portion has a length at least as long as the length of said second tongue panel portion.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein said severed tongue panel has a width at least as wide as the length of said second tongue panel portion.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein said first and second spaced lines are perforated and wherein said box has a bag inside thereof into which said contents are disposed, said bag having third and fourth perforated spaced lines substantially registering with said first and second perforated spaced lines and defining the width of a severable bag portion, said bag also having a fifth perforated line substantially registering with the edge of said flange panel and extending transversely between said third and fourth perforated line, glue means securing said severable bag portion to said severable tongue panel, said third, fourth and fifth perforated lines also having their perforated openings sealed off by said glue means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,585,494 5/1926 Harvey 229l7 2,228,181 1/1941 Perryrnan 229-17 3,203,616 8/1965 Bolton et a1. 229--17 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A BOX MADE OF PAPERBOARD AND HAVING A BOX CORNER PORTION DEFINED BY FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGES, SAID BOX HAVING AT LEAST FIRST AND SECOND OPPOSED SIDE PANELS, END PANEL MEANS AND EDGE PANEL MEANS, SAID FIRST OPPOSED SIDE PANEL HAVING A FIRST SIDE CORNER PANEL PORTION DEFINED BY SAID FIRST AND SECOND SCORE-LINE EDGES, SAID SECOND OPPOSED SIDE PANEL HAVING A SECOND SIDE CORNER PANEL PORTION DEFINED BY SAID THIRD AND FOURTH SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGES, SAID END PANEL MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND THIRD SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGES AND BEING CONNECTED THERETO, SAID EDGE PANEL MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SECOND AND FOURTH SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGES AND BEING CONNECTED THERETO, SAID END PANEL MEANS AND SAID EDGE PANEL MEANS BEING CONNECTED TOGETHER ALONG SAID FIFTH SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGE AND DEFINING A CORNER EDGE OF SAID BOX, SAID EDGE PANEL MEANS COMPRISING A FLANGE PANEL AND A FLAP PANEL OVERLAPPING SAID FLANGE PANEL AND BEING SECURED THERETO, SAID FLAP PANEL BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST OPPOSED SIDE PANEL AND BEING CONNECTED THERETO ALONG SAID SECOND SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGE, SAID FLANGE PANEL BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SECOND OPPOSED SIDE PANEL AND BEING CONNECTED THERETO ALONG SAID FOURTH SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGE, SAID FIRST SIDE CORNER PANEL PORTION HAVING A HINGEABLE SCORE-LINE EXTENDING IN A DIRECTION TRANSVERSELY OF SAID FIRST SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGE AND SPACED FROM SAID SECOND SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGE, THE IMPROVEMENT OF DISPENSING MEANS THROUGH WHICH CONTENTS IN THE BOX MAY BE DISPENSED THEREFROM, SAID DISPENSING MEANS COMPRISING A MANUALLY OPERABLE TONGUE PANEL SEVERABLE ALONG FIRST AND SECOND SPACED LINES DEFINING THE WIDTH THEREOF, WITH EACH LINE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ACROSS SAID FLAP PANEL TO SAID SECOND SCORE-LINE CORNER EDGE AND THENCE ACROSS SAID FIRST SIDE CORNER PANEL PORTION TO SAID HINGEABLE SCORE-LINE WHERBY A DISPLACING OPENING IS DEFINED IN SAID BOX WHEN SAID TONGUE PANEL IS SEVERED, SAID SEVERED TONGUE PANEL BEING HINGEABLY CONNECTED TO SAID HINGEABLE SCORE-LINE, SAID SEVERED TONGUE PANEL HAVING AN OPEN POSITION AND A CLOSED POSITION, SAID SEVERED TONGUE PANEL COMPRISING A FIRST TONGUE PANEL PORTION SEVERED FROM SAID FIRST SIDE CORNER PANEL PORTION AND A SECOND TONGUE PANEL PORTION SEVERED FROM SAID FLAP PANEL, SAID SECOND TONGUE PANEL PORTION BEING CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST TONGUE PORTION BY SAID SECOND SCORELINE CORNER EDGE, SAID SECOND TONGUE PANEL PORTION HAVING A TERMINAL END DISPOSED TO BE TUCKED BEHIND SAID FLANGE PANEL FOR CONSTRAINING SAID SEVERED TONGUE PANEL IN ITS CLOSED POSITION, SAID SEVERED TONGUE PANEL IN ITS OPENED POSITION BEING FOLDABLE BACK AGAINST SAID FIRST OPPOSED SIDE PANEL WHEREBY CONTENTS IN SAID BOX MAY BE DISPENSED THROUGH SAID DISPENSING OPENING. 